Endorsements

In his inaugural speech, without knowing it, Barack Obama summed up the challenge of one of the UK’s most effective mission initiatives for decades “On this day we gather because we have chosen hope over fear, unity of purpose over conflict and discord!

IgniteHope provides an unprecedented opportunity to impact Cardiff with the gospel of Jesus Christ. Bringing together many Christian denominations, organisations and movements Ignite Hope mobilises hundreds of young people to engage in mission as Jesus intended it to be – the proclamation and demonstration of the Good News to see lives transformed. It has my strongest commendation.
Rev Elfed Godding, National Director of Evangelical Alliance Wales.

IgniteHope 2012 is a great opportunity for young people in Cardiff to make a difference in their local neighbourhoods by getting involved in worthwhile projects and activities. So often young people are wrongly seen in a negative light but this event - where youngsters carry out acts of kindness - will help readdress that balance. South Wales Police is delighted to support local churches and their young people in this exciting venture.
Josh Jones, former Commander of Cardiff BCU.

Last year, I was delighted to support IgniteHope and I saw it through from its very early inception and planning stages to the day the Festival was held. I was tremendously impressed by the ability of the workers to instill enthusiasm into the young people concerned and I was very impressed by the wide range of useful community projects that were undertaken as a result of the event. I am, therefore, delighted to write in support of IgniteHope 2010 and I very much hope that you will be able to offer the event support from your own organisation.
Baroness Randerson

IgniteHope was born out of seeing some of our toughest communities change and its track record has brought about that transformation. As the church works together in 2012, being salt and light in community transformation, the impact will be phenominal. This is part of a National initiative that is taking place all across this country.

Gary and his team’s drive, enthusiasm and commitment to this great city and place is infectious, and results in making a real difference, thus leaving a legacy that will live on. This is your moment to unite and join together as local church and community leaders to see things different.
Roy Crown

South Wales police are committed to ‘Ignite Hope’ due to the local impact it has on our communities. We, in Cardiff have benefitted from previous visits in 2008 and 2010 where our citizens were able to enjoy an improvement to local services and surroundings, delivered by friendly faces and truly focussed on the needs of our residents and visitors in Cardiff. The opportunity that this provides for young people to provide meaningful contribution to local society has no limits, which is why I am totally committed to its continued success.
A. M. Thomas
Chief Superintendent/Prif Uwcharolygydd

My work at Sport Wales is all about a vision to get ‘every child hooked on sport for life’. This chimes nicely with the HOPE vision, especially the bit on empowered individuals and improved communities. Sport is a great way of achieving excellence in our lives and what I mean by that isn’t really about medals or winning, but often people finding enjoyment, friends but especially discovering the hugely rewarding experience that coaching and leadership in sport offers. So much of my work is about helping people become the coaches and leaders of the future and this is something that is core to Ignite. Being trained and given the confidence to run sports sessions in events like HOPE and out there within our communities, means that there will be opportunites for young people to have fun playing sport that weren’t there before. Hope is a great way of reaching out to communities and impacting on people who might miss out somehow, but because someone, through HOPE, has said ‘I’ll have a go’, means that so many more people can enjoy an activity or benefit from a service and hear the message of HOPE. I trust that this work can go further than before, to engage with local people and especially local communities who are crying out for the range of gifted help you will be offering. I started by saying that Sport is a great way of achieving excellence in our lives and in this case excellence might be about running a sports session for some children who’d never have that opportunity were it not for you! So go and do great things!
Mark Frost
Sports Wales